Surfing legend and 11-time World Champion Kelly Slater (USA) is set to return to competition as a wildcard for the 2025 Lexus Trestles Pro Presented by Outerknown. Following the Mid-season Cut at the Western Australia Margaret River Pro, the Championship Tour (CT) progresses to Stop No. 8 of the World Surf League (WSL) CT. The competition will take place at Lower Trestles from June 9 through June 17, 2025.
“I’m excited to surf Lowers after having a few months of downtime with family and watching the events online,” shared Slater. “Competing in this event makes sense with Outerknown as the presenting sponsor and as we celebrate our 10th anniversary. Trestles holds special meaning for me—not only as the site of my first professional win but also as a place of great victories throughout my career. It’s my girlfriend’s hometown and feels like a second home. I’m looking forward to competing as a wildcard and going head-to-head against some top seeds right away. At Outerknown, we pride ourselves on doing things differently, and for me, this is a unique role as an underdog. I’m honored and excited to compete next month.”
At 53 years old, Slater previously competed as a wildcard in the season’s opening event, the Lexus Pipe Pro, where he secured a Quarterfinal finish in his 33rd CT appearance at Pipeline. This time, he will challenge the narrowed CT field at the high-performance wave of Lower Trestles, recently announced as the surfing venue for the LA 2028 Olympic Games.
From Stop No. 8 through Stop No. 11, the CT field will be reduced to 24 men and 12 women, who will battle for a coveted spot in the Final 5. The finalists will head to Cloudbreak in Fiji for the Lexus WSL Finals, an event that will crown the 2025 World Champions. Since 2021, Lower Trestles has hosted the Lexus WSL Finals. This year, the Lexus Trestles Pro will be the first CT event after the Mid-season Cut, featuring the world’s best surfers aiming for a strong finish.
Slater’s wildcard return aligns with the event presented by his apparel brand, Outerknown. As the presenting partner and official apparel sponsor for the Lexus Trestles Pro, Outerknown will offer event-exclusive merchandise on-site, including Regenerative Organic Certified™ Cotton tees, fleece, and official WSL jerseys. Fans can also purchase Outerknown staples, such as Kelly Slater’s Apex Evolution Trunks and the popular Blanket Shirt.
The Outerknown activation will also feature a demo center hosted by Firewire and Slater Designs, giving attendees hands-on experience with the latest surfboard models, fins, and accessories. Fans will have the chance to win prizes, including a day at the Surf Ranch, a Slater Designs surfboard quiver, and an Outerknown wardrobe. Updates and behind-the-scenes content will be available on @Outerknown and @FirewireSurfboards social media channels.
“We’re proud to partner with the WSL and the Lexus Trestles Pro during such a meaningful time for Outerknown as we celebrate 10 years since our founding,” said Dylan Slater, CEO of Outerknown. “It’s an honor to bring the surf community together, especially as Kelly returns to compete at a wave that has been integral to his remarkable career. This event is about creating a memorable experience for fans and surfers alike, and we’re excited to be part of it.”
For more information, please visit WorldSurfLeague.com
